Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. resigned as president of Larong Hockey sa Pilipinas (LHP) recently, cutting the last of his ties with Philippine sports after serving as its top chief for decades.
Reports said the 86-year-old Cojuangco cited health reasons for stepping down from LHP, which was established in 2019 so the country can field a team in the Southeast Asian Games.
His long-time associate, handball association head Steve Hontiveros, said he is tasked to take over until after a “caretaker” body is formed and amendments to its charter is made.The turnover marked the end of Cojuangco’s far-reaching influence in sports where he served as Philippine Olympic Committee president from 2004 to 2018. Concurrently then he was the equestrian boss.
Cojuangco also helped with bowling during the 1980s, working with Hontiveros, who was then International Bowling Federation and Philippine bowling president.
Hontiveros said a five-man board of trustees is already in place, composed of Arellano University’s Peter Cayco, Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Paulo Campos, Rene Legaspi, Chippy Espiritu and Jimmy Dilag.
Jonne Go, formerly with Canoe-kayak, will serve as secretary general.
“With the help of the board, we are pushing for amendments in the LHP charter, sort of fixing the house first and then we can work on expanding into bigger, nationwide representation,” said Hontiveros.
Hontiveros said they want to take “baby steps” before working on putting a national team and developing its long-term program.
He is eyeing Cayco, the former volleyball president, to become head LHP once the association is up and running again.
Hontiveros said they have the blessings of Dato Seri Chaiyapal, president of the Asian Hockey Federation who monitors the development. INQ